A call to stop speeding cars

Villagers want 40mph ‘buffer zone’

Residents and traders in Crianlarich have called for curbs on drivers who speed through the village.

People and business owners there want a 40mph ‘buffer zone’ on the approach to the village, similar to the one introduced in Strathyre.

Currently vehicles travel along the A85 at speeds of up to 60mph, but it’s only as they enter the village that the limit lowers to 30mph.

Concerned villagers have now turned to Stirling’s MSP and a councillor for the area to lobby for the 40mph zone on a 400 metre stretch of road at the entrance to the village.

Around five properties lie beyond the 30mph zone, at the east end of the village and residents say that vehicles attempting to pull out from side streets are having to do so in to the path of cars travelling at 60mph. Six roads feed on to the A85.

John Christie, owner of the Inverardran Guest House, said there have been several near misses with traffic joining the A85 from surrounding properties.

He added: “It’s only a 400m stretch of road but you get cars flying along at 60mph and cars from the surrounding properties have to be very careful trying to turn on to the A85 as there have been times when people pull out and then they have cars directly behind them, blasting the horn and flashing the lights, going crazy.

“There are five buildings on that little stretch of road who need to pull out on to the main road to get out and the traffic flying along there is a real problem, Some people see the straight bit of road and put their foot down.

“In my mind, a 40mph zone before it changes to 30mph would be sensible.”

Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford met a number of business owners and residents in Crianlarich last week to discuss the issues.

Mr Crawford said: “It’s clear from the conversations I’ve now had that the desire for a 40mph speed buffer coming into the village extends beyond those who contacted me. Other businesses and residences in the area are impacted by cars coming into Crianlarich off of a 60mph road.

“There are a number of entrances and exits to and from premises on the 300 to 400 yard stretch before the 30mph zone begins and it’s clear that the current speed limit causes hazards to road users.

“I’m pleased that Transport Scotland are open to discussing this following my correspondence and I’ll be reaching out to Police Scotland to provide as much incident information as possible as we build the case for a speed buffer into Crianlarich village.”

Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl has also been fighting for change on the road.

He added, however, a response from Transport Scotland showed that because the records indicate that there were no recorded personal injury accidents at the location between January 2013 and October 2017 it does not meet pre–set criteria there is no need for a review.

He added: “I welcome any shift from Transport Scotland but, to be honest, it’s like pulling teeth. The whole basis for how these issues are dealt with needs to be addressed.

“At present unless a reportable incident actually occurs there is no mechanism for capturing the day to day near misses that take place at many locations like this.

“Until the national criteria is changed we will not see common sense applied.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: ”The Scottish Government is clear that effective and appropriate speed management has a role to play in supporting road safety and wider objectives including the provision and enhancement of active travel.

“Any request to vary a speed limit must be considered in line with the established guidance and would require extensive evidence gathering, design and consultation. The guidance is clear that, in terms of accident reduction, to improve safety on a length of route, appropriate alternative options should always be considered before proceeding with a new speed limit.

“The Strategic Road Safety Plan and Road Safety Framework reflect this understanding and establish a series of actions that we are working to deliver.

“These include a consideration of how speed is managed across the network to best achieve our road safety objectives.”